SOUTH Norwood is to endure further traffic woe after another bridge was closed this week and the reopening of another delayed by a month.
Tennison Road bridge closed yesterday until spring 2015 but this blow to road users has been compounded by the news Spring Lane bridge will remain closed until at least Monday, July 28.
Both bridges are being replaced but the Spring Lane delay has been caused by a "need to redesign the bridge foundations".
The Tennison Road bridge is the third in the local area to close for a considerable period of time after the Penge Road bridge works last summer.
Local business owner Richard Hough said at the time: "You might as well close South Norwood while this is happening."
Motorists have been infuriated by the extensive works to the bridges which are being undertaken by Croydon Council in partnership with Transport for London and Network Rail.
But Kathy Bee, councillor for South Norwood and cabinet member for transport and environment, said: "Unfortunately, unexpected circumstances mean they're taking longer than planned.
"The council is doing all it can to mitigate the effects, including the banning of all non-urgent roadworks in the area, arranging amendments to traffic light timings, and encouraging the use of alternative routes.
"While the delay means there will be an overlap of these works with the closure of Tennison Road bridge, the long-term benefits to local people and all who use both these bridges outweigh the unavoidable inconvenience they experience while the replacement work is carried out."
Tennison Road bridge dates back to 1920 and will be replaced with a structure expected to last at least 120 years.
Cllr Bee said where practicable 24-hour work would be going ahead to get the work completed quickly.
She added: "This has been something of a learning curve for all concerned and the lessons will be taken on board, particularly those concerning the sequencing of construction programming, and the certification of design elements."
